Rumor: Trade Thread XVII: Callahan's Reckoning.

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

It's remarkable how low the bar has been set for Richards. Before the season started, many fans were saying that nothing short of a Conn Smythe or 80+ points would prevent him from being bought out. Now some fans want to keep him even though he hasn't come close to showing that sort of improvement or capability in his play. A team should not subject themselves to recapture for a 55-60 point center who can't skate and is turning 34 at the end of the season.

Agreed. Then again, its the type of wayward thinking you're going to encounter when the first question some people ask themselves is "OMG HOW ARE WE GOING TO REPLACE HIM?!"

The Rangers haven't been able to develop an upper-echelon center in forever. Maybe its time to bite the bullet instead of saddling the franchise with longterm commitments.

 

[Ex Officer Friendly]

YES! We are! It's not just about the points though (I'm not yelling at you there it was an excited yes). You can use that money to fill in two different spots on the 2nd or 3rd line or use some of it to give a guy like Kreider a super long but cheap extension (What a steal a 6 x 4.5 deal would be for Kreider just like with mcD). Richards isn't doing enough all around and what other players could potentially do with their overall game supercedes what Rich is bringing in pts alone

Who do you think the Rangers will be able to get on the centers FA market this off season?

Stastny? He can't skate well either, and doesn't out produce Richards only thing he has over Richards is age.

Unless Legwand, Derek Roy or Olli Jokinen can start producing the UFA market on centers is weak.

Having a veteran center there would be good for the younger centers to learn from.

 

[eco's bones]

Richards is gone it's as simple as that the recapture penalty in itself is enough to warrant the buyout, and I hope sather doesn't throw the money at Stastny, if anything use part of kt for an upgrade on the second line lw over Poo, it would be nice for once to go into the season with cap space to allow us some wiggle room for a mid season trade or deadline acquisition. Thus team should be able to rely in skill not spending to the cap for success.

Unfortunately it's not that simple. Because if somehow he's considered an injured player during that short window time period of an amnesty this summer the Rangers aren't allowed to buy him out--they'll be stuck with him--which is why they should have amnestied him last summer.

 

[Raspewtin]

I think you're overpaying a few guys here.

They are restricted. Sather and company will let that be known throughout the process.

Which ones?

It's been his MO forever but I wonder if Sather goes bridge deal with Kreider/Moore.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Who do you think the Rangers will be able to get on the centers FA market this off season?

Stastny? He can't skate well either, and doesn't out produce Richards only thing he has over Richards is age.

Unless Legwand, Derek Roy or Olli Jokinen can start producing the UFA market on centers is weak.

Having a veteran center there would be good for the younger centers to learn from.

1) This summer is the LAST chance to amnesty Richards. You can't keep him for an extra year or two and then do it. If you don't do it now, you are then in the position that if he doesn't play out his full contract (including the last three years when he's in his 38-40 age seasons, likely playing at a 30-odd-point pace, and only making $1MM per year), you are guaranteed a massive cap hit penalty. There is no option C, no way around it - you either amnesty Richards THIS summer or risk crippling your cap for years.

2) The lack of a ready, right now, gimme-gimme-gimme, instant gratification replacement is not a justification to keep a subpar option under normal circumstances - much less when you're risking the associated recapture penalty.

3) It'll be Stepan's 5th year in the league next year and by all accounts his leadership qualities are superior. Does he not qualify as a veteran? Derick Brassard will be in his 8th season. Does he not qualify as a veteran?

4) Why must veteran guidance come from a center?

5) Miller has had cups of coffee each of the last two years and is getting better and better - how much veteran guidance does he need? Lindberg was the MVP of the SEL playoffs last year and is a very heady player - how much veteran guidance does he need?

6) As you point out, there are other veteran options such as Legwand if you absolutely, truly feel you need a grizzled gray beard at the center position.

7) If all else fails, you can trade for a mid-tier veteran option.



You do not keep Brad Richards and risk the cap recapture penalty under any circumstances. Period.

 

[broadwayblue]

There is no option not to use the compliance buyout on Brad this summer. None.

 

[BPD]

Richards is under contract until 2020.

Right, and when the crux of my argument relies on him being traded to another team who needs the boost to reach the cap floor, yeah, he's not going to be a Ranger.

 

[NernieBichols]

It's remarkable how low the bar has been set for Richards. Before the season started, many fans were saying that nothing short of a Conn Smythe or 80+ points would prevent him from being bought out. Now some fans want to keep him even though he hasn't come close to showing that sort of improvement or capability in his play. A team should not subject themselves to recapture for a 55-60 point center who can't skate and is turning 34 at the end of the season.

The bold, in a nutshell. Sums it up

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Right, and when the crux of my argument relies on him being traded to another team who needs the boost to reach the cap floor, yeah, he's not going to be a Ranger.

The cap recapture hits the RANGERS even if he retires/is bought out by ANOTHER team. Either we buy him out this summer or we're on the hook for his early retirement, no matter WHERE it happens.

Burkie's revenge (the recapture clause in the CBA) is designed to absolutely **** any team that signed what the league deemed a circumvention contract prior to the lockout.

 

[NernieBichols]

Right, and when the crux of my argument relies on him being traded to another team who needs the boost to reach the cap floor, yeah, he's not going to be a Ranger.

But the cap recapture states thats, if the player retires the burden is on the team who signed him to the cap circumventing contract (the rangers), not the team the player was with when he retired

So you want to trade him to a bottom feeder and then cross your fingers he helps the rangers out, by playing the contract out, instead of retiring and doing whatever he wants to do with his life. Now that would be loyalty haha

Im sorry, I didn't see that many posters pointed out how the cap recapture rule works. Kudos to those who know what they are talking about

 

[RGY]

Guys should not be alarmed by Jaskin being called up by the Blues yesterday. The Blues have been calling him and sending him down the past two months a la JT Miller style.

4th time Jaskin has been recalled this year.

 

[Nightshift]

Pierre and Eddie have been claiming Richards is having a great year during the nationally televised games. It must be true.

 

[Beer League Sniper]

Right, and when the crux of my argument relies on him being traded to another team who needs the boost to reach the cap floor, yeah, he's not going to be a Ranger.

Even in that scenario, the team that originally signed the contract (NYR) still gets stuck with the cap recapture hit should Richards choose to retire.

Richards contract was designed to disincentivise him playing beyond the 6th year. Both him and the Rangers knew that when they signed the contract. The new CBA retroactively punishes these kinds of contracts (which is kind of BS, but whatever, both parties agreed to it), and now Richards is going to pay for it. Only not really, because Richards will get a Lecavalier-type contract from someone, and may end up making even more money when you combine his amnesty buyout with his next contract's salary structure. The only party that loses here is the Rangers.

 

[broadwayblue]

Right, and when the crux of my argument relies on him being traded to another team who needs the boost to reach the cap floor, yeah, he's not going to be a Ranger.

As stated above he can't be traded because if he retires during the current contract the Rangers get hit with the cap penalty. It's not an option.

 

[mas0764]

Who do you think the Rangers will be able to get on the centers FA market this off season?

Stastny? He can't skate well either, and doesn't out produce Richards only thing he has over Richards is age.

Unless Legwand, Derek Roy or Olli Jokinen can start producing the UFA market on centers is weak.

Having a veteran center there would be good for the younger centers to learn from.

The decision to part with Richards should not be contingent on replacing him THIS OFFSEASON.

I think Stastny is a bad idea. Save the money for the next Rick Nash you can make a run at. You know, someone who can actually be a PPG player.

Definitely do not just throw the money at the biggest FA name in the first FA period that you have money. Save it for someone special. Use it in the meantime on short term deals so that the space will come up again in the near future.

 

[Miller Time NYR]

Unfortunately it's not that simple. Because if somehow he's considered an injured player during that short window time period of an amnesty this summer the Rangers aren't allowed to buy him out--they'll be stuck with him--which is why they should have amnestied him last summer.

Obviously that would **** it all up, let's just hope that doesn't happen.

 

[Off Sides]

The cap recapture hits the RANGERS even if he retires/is bought out by ANOTHER team. Either we buy him out this summer or we're on the hook for his early retirement, no matter WHERE it happens.

Burkie's revenge (the recapture clause in the CBA) is designed to absolutely **** any team that signed what the league deemed a circumvention contract prior to the lockout.

I have yet to see where it says anything about if another teams buys him out on a regular buyout.

There are rules, something like the player must be making 3M or something in salary that year to be buyout eligible, and he has to be on their roster from some date the year prior to the buyout, but I have not seen the recapture address what happens if the trading team buys him out if they meet the other qualifications.

My issue remains with that plan, Richards would have to waive his clause to go along with the plan, plus the trading team would have to put out some real cash rather than let him retire, I just don't think they could plan it now and have it come to fruition.

 

[mas0764]

1) This summer is the LAST chance to amnesty Richards. You can't keep him for an extra year or two and then do it. If you don't do it now, you are then in the position that if he doesn't play out his full contract (including the last three years when he's in his 38-40 age seasons, likely playing at a 30-odd-point pace, and only making $1MM per year), you are guaranteed a massive cap hit penalty. There is no option C, no way around it - you either amnesty Richards THIS summer or risk crippling your cap for years.

2) The lack of a ready, right now, gimme-gimme-gimme, instant gratification replacement is not a justification to keep a subpar option under normal circumstances - much less when you're risking the associated recapture penalty.

3) It'll be Stepan's 5th year in the league next year and by all accounts his leadership qualities are superior. Does he not qualify as a veteran? Derick Brassard will be in his 8th season. Does he not qualify as a veteran?

4) Why must veteran guidance come from a center?

5) Miller has had cups of coffee each of the last two years and is getting better and better - how much veteran guidance does he need? Lindberg was the MVP of the SEL playoffs last year and is a very heady player - how much veteran guidance does he need?

6) As you point out, there are other veteran options such as Legwand if you absolutely, truly feel you need a grizzled gray beard at the center position.

7) If all else fails, you can trade for a mid-tier veteran option.



You do not keep Brad Richards and risk the cap recapture penalty under any circumstances. Period.

Right on. He needs to go.

 

[smoneil]

You're right. and just to add onto this, I already think what the Rangers offered him is to much for what he is CURRENTLY bringing. You can't pay a guy for what he's done compared to what he is doing now (although he will get that on the open market).

We've seen multiple signs of a deteriorating Callahan this year, in terms of his on ice play and value to this team under AV. A couple major facts from this year.

Yup. He's one of my favorite players, and the only guy still here from one of my all-time favorite lines, but these are the facts: Callahan signed his current contract three years ago, and two things have gone down since then--the salary cap and his production rate (the latter has gone down consistently for the last three years--it's not just a "this year" concern).

5x6 is way too much.
What he's demanding is absurd (regardless of whether or not another team will give it to him).

 

[BPD]

The cap recapture hits the RANGERS even if he retires/is bought out by ANOTHER team. Either we buy him out this summer or we're on the hook for his early retirement, no matter WHERE it happens.

Burkie's revenge (the recapture clause in the CBA) is designed to absolutely **** any team that signed what the league deemed a circumvention contract prior to the lockout.

But the cap recapture states thats, if the player retires the burden is on the team who signed him to the cap circumventing contract (the rangers), not the team the player was with when he retired

So you want to trade him to a bottom feeder and then cross your fingers he helps the rangers out, by playing the contract out, instead of retiring and doing whatever he wants to do with his life. Now that would be loyalty haha

Hey, I'm not saying it's smart. I'm trying to give a glimpse into the reasoning we're all going to be trying to figure out on June 30 when Richards doesn't get bought out and we're all sitting here dumbfounded.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Which ones?

It's been his MO forever but I wonder if Sather goes bridge deal with Kreider/Moore.

Zuccarello making $4M? Brassard $4.5M? Kreider has 2/3rds of a season of good, yet inconsistent, play under his belt.

Considering they are all restricted, I think Sather puts the screws to every single one.

 

[NernieBichols]

The decision to part with Richards should not be contingent on replacing him THIS OFFSEASON.

I think Stastny is a bad idea. Save the money for the next Rick Nash you can make a run at. You know, someone who can actually be a PPG player.

Definitely do not just throw the money at the biggest FA name in the first FA period that you have money. Save it for someone special. Use it in the meantime on short term deals so that the space will come up again in the near future.

I agree totally. This would be classic MSG/Rangers Mo. As fans you better hope they have learned from past mistakes.

Stewart and Stastny are going to be difference makers huh, they are the missing pieces?

 

[NernieBichols]

Hey, I'm not saying it's smart. I'm trying to give a glimpse into the reasoning we're all going to be trying to figure out on June 30 when Richards doesn't get bought out and we're all sitting here dumbfounded.

The only reason Richards would still be here is bc the team is run by an egomaniac who doesn't like to admit mistakes

 

[Fitzy]

There is no option not to use the compliance buyout on Brad this summer. None.

The option would be to trade him for a Gomez-esque return, and accept the cap penalty later on if and when it comes.

 

[BPD]

The only reason Richards would still be here is bc the team is run by an egomaniac who doesn't like to admit mistakes

...crap